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RELEVANCEWheat Stocks and Exports, Australia(cat. no. 7307.0) presents monthly data on stocks and commitments of wheat grain in Australia for selected manufacturing and agricultural businesses, licensed exporters and bulk grain handlers. These estimates are compiled from various monthly surveys conducted by the ABS, including the Grain Handlers Stocks Survey, the Wheat Export Sales Survey and administrative data relating to wheat grain exports.

The Wheat Export Sales Survey (WESS) is a monthly survey of wheat exporters' contracts for future wheat grain exports. Data are collected on the basis of the state where the wheat grain is sourced, and then aggregated to derive Australian totals.

The Grain Handlers Stocks Survey (GHSS) is a monthly survey of the major bulk grain handling businesses in Australia to collect data on stocks of wheat grain and quality grades.

Data relating to the export of wheat are compiled from information submitted by exporters, or their agents, to the Australian Customs Service (ACS). Statistics are compiled for states and territories and Australia.

The wheat surveys are undertaken on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to assist the wheat industry.The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) uses these data to compile a regular report on uncommitted wheat stocks within the Australian economy.

TIMELINESSWheat Stocks and Exports, Australia (cat. no. 7307.0) is released monthly, 5 weeks after the reference period. The first release, covering the period from October 2008 to December 2008 was released in February 2009.

ACCURACY

Data fromthe various wheat surveys have been quality assured using recognised statistical techniques. The resultant value estimates have been checked against earlier months (where available) and relevant other sources, including contact with data providers, to ensure the accuracy of the estimates produced.

COHERENCEWheat Stocks and Exports, Australia(cat. no. 7307.0) was first released in February 2009.Commencing with the December 2009 reference period, the scope and coverage of the Wheat Use Survey was expanded to include dairy operators and wheat growers. As a result, data collected prior to the December 2009 reference period is not directly comparable with data collected from December 2009 onwards. Since March 2009, bulk wheat grain stocks have been released in Stocks of Grain Held by Bulk Handling Companies and Grain Traders, Australia(cat. no. 7122.0.55.001) on a monthly basis. INTERPRETABILITY

Detailed Explanatory Notes are provided in this publication to assist users in interpreting these data and to understand the concepts underlying the data.

ACCESSIBILITY

An extensive range of data are available from a variety of agriculture based collections on the ABS website <www.abs.gov.au>. For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.